8-Day South Island Scenic Trains and Glaciers Grand Loop from Christchurch
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US$1519 ￥10292 €1328 C$2131 Rs.146810
US$1571 ￥10644 €1374 C$2204 Rs.151836 US$52 ￥353 €46 C$73 Rs.5026
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Child age: 5-12
Tour Overview
Highlights
Visit Christchurch (Tranz Alpine), Arthur's Pass, Crown Range Road, Dunedin, Greymouth (Fox Glacier, Shantytown), Haast, Haast Pass National Scenic Reserve (Blue Pool), Lake Tekapo Township (Church of the Good Shepherd, Lake Tekapo), Mount Cook National Park, Punakaiki (Pancake Rocks and Blowholes), Queenstown, Wanaka.
- Golden Autumn Special Gift (May - Sep, Valued at NZD150): Arrowtown and Glenorchy 1-day tour
Dates & Prices
Price in NZD (per person, based on double occupancy)
Limited Offer
3% Group Discount: 1. Receive 3% off when you purchase 3+ rooms on the same tour (single order only). 2. Receive 3% off when you book 3+ multi-day tours with minimum order total of $500 at once. Not valid in conjunction with any other discounts or pricing offers.
Itinerary
Upon arriving in Christchurch, your guide will lead you through this beautiful "Garden City." Stroll through the historic Arts Centre, admire the graceful scenery along the Avon River, and pass by the Bridge of Remembrance.
Christchurch, New Zealand
The largest city on the South Island of New Zealand, Christchurch is an urban center in the Canterbury region. Nicknamed the Garden City, Christchurch is known for its Anglican cathedral, arts, museums, and as being a gateway for Antarctic expeditions.
Arts Centre
Housed in enchanting Gothic Revival buildings, the Christchurch Arts Centre is the city's cultural hub. It buzzes with creativity, hosting artist studios, unique shops, theatres, and craft markets.
Avon River
Bridge of Remembrance
The Bridge of Remembrance is a WWI memorial arch in Christchurch, where soldiers departed for war. It now stands as a spiritual landmark, symbolizing peace, remembrance, and resilient hope.
After breakfast, take the renowned TranzAlpine scenic train to Arthur's Pass. Meet your guide and proceed to Shantytown, a heritage gold rush theme park. Enjoy a guided tour, ride a heritage steam train, and experience gold panning, taking home a vial of "paydirt" as a souvenir. Evening check-in at your hotel.
Christchurch, New Zealand
The largest city on the South Island of New Zealand, Christchurch is an urban center in the Canterbury region. Nicknamed the Garden City, Christchurch is known for its Anglican cathedral, arts, museums, and as being a gateway for Antarctic expeditions.
Tranz Alpine
Regarded as one of the world's greatest train journeys, the TranzAlpine is a passenger train like no other. Guests can travel 139 miles, beginning in Christchurch, and experience scenic views, tunnels, and viaducts of the Southern Alps during an unforgettable excursion.
Arthur's Pass, New Zealand
Located in the Canterbury region of New Zealand, Arthur's Pass is one of three mountain passes in the Southern Alps. Named after Sir Arthur Dudley Dobson, in 1864, visitors can enjoy vistas and Dobson's memorial from an elevation of 920 meters.
Greymouth, New Zealand
The most populous town in the West Coast region, Greymouth sits at the foot of the Southern Alps. Visitors can enjoy shopping, restaurants and a bustling ecotourism. Popular attractions close by include the Pancake Rocks at Punakaiki.
Shantytown
This tourist attraction in New Zealand, just to the south of Greymouth, opened in the early 1970s. It is made up of recreated historic buildings to simulate the look and feel of a 19th century gold mining town.
Heritage Steam Train
This heritage steam train is a iconic experience at Shantytown, taking passengers back to the 19th-century gold rush. It travels on original tracks through native forests and past historic gold mining sites, offering an authentic journey into the past.
Gold panning
Gold panning is a classic hands-on activity that lets you experience the life of a 19th-century prospector. Swirl a special pan in flowing water to learn separation techniques and discover gleaming gold flakes as a unique souvenir.
After breakfast, visit the iconic Pancake Rocks to witness its dramatic blowholes. Then, travel south along State Highway 6 through the scenic West Coast rainforest. A stop will be made at the Glacier Viewpoint for photos, weather permitting. The day ends with a special West Coast dinner upon arrival in Haast.
Punakaiki, New Zealand
Located in the West Coast region of the South Island of New Zealand, Punakaiki is a small town that offers stunning beaches and clifftop views. Situated between Westport and Greymouth, visitors often stop at the Pancake Rocks, a popular geological tourist attraction.
Pancake Rocks and Blowholes
Punakaiki's famous Pancake Rocks and Blowholes provide a beautifully bizarre limestone landscape dotted with pancake-shaped geological formations and surge pools. Visitors can explore a 20-minute walk along designated pathways at the picture perfect attraction.
Greymouth, New Zealand
The most populous town in the West Coast region, Greymouth sits at the foot of the Southern Alps. Visitors can enjoy shopping, restaurants and a bustling ecotourism. Popular attractions close by include the Pancake Rocks at Punakaiki.
Fox Glacier
Fox Glacier is one of the most famous glaciers on New Zealand's South Island West Coast. This massive temperate glacier carves down from the Southern Alps, reaching near sea level amidst lush rainforest, creating a stunning contrast of ice and greenery.
Haast, New Zealand
Haast is an area in the Westland District territorial authority on the West Coast of New Zealand's South Island. The main economic activities in the Haast region are farming, fishing and tourism.
After breakfast, travel through the scenic Haast Pass to the Blue Pools for a short walk to the stunning glacial pools. Enjoy free time in Wanaka before crossing the Crown Range Road to Queenstown. Conclude the day with a Skyline Gondola ride for panoramic views.
Note: The Blue Pools walk may be replaced with a Wanaka lakeside walk in case of severe weather.
Haast Pass National Scenic Reserve, New Zealand
Haast Pass National Scenic Reserve forms part of a UNESCO World Heritage area, connecting the West Coast with the Wanaka lake region. It's renowned for its pristine rainforests, waterfalls and glacial valleys, offering a classic journey through the Southern Alps.
Blue Pool
The Blue Pools in Haast Pass National Scenic Reserve are famed for their crystal-clear glacial waters. A walk through suspended bridges and ancient beech forest leads to these sapphire-colored pools, a must-see natural wonder in the South Island.
Crown Range Road, New Zealand
The Crown Range Road is New Zealand's highest main highway, connecting Wanaka and Queenstown. This winding mountain route offers breathtaking panoramic views of the surrounding mountains and river valleys, making it one of the South Island's most memorable drives.
Wanaka, New Zealand
Located in the Otago region, Wanaka is a popular resort town that attracts tourists all year round. From cross-country skiing to water skiing, Wanaka offers endless outdoor activities no matter the season, as well as gorgeous views of mountain ranges, lakes, and more.
Queenstown, New Zealand
Located in the South Island of New Zealand along Lake Wakatipu, Queenstown is an urban, resort town popularized for its adventure tourism, which includes snowboarding, skiing, mountain biking, and paragliding. The Lord of the Rings film trilogy also features locations from Queenstown and surrounding locations.
Skyline Gondola
Often considered one of the best views in the world, the gondola that is attached to the Skyline restaurant in Queenstown provides an amazing scenic vantage point of the surrounding lands of New Zealand.
Today offers a full day of leisure in picturesque Queenstown. Nestled between majestic mountains and a sparkling lake, this town is hailed as one of the world's most beautiful resort destinations - a paradise for both relaxation and adventure.
Tailor your day to your interests:
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For Film Buffs: Journey to the fairytale-like village of Glenorchy to explore real-life The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit filming locations.
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For Thrill-Seekers: Get your adrenaline pumping with world-class activities like skydiving, bungy jumping, paragliding, or jet boating.
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For a Leisurely Pace: Soak in panoramic views from the gondola, take a scenic helicopter flight over snow-capped peaks and glaciers, or enjoy a wine tasting at a local vineyard.
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For a Spontaneous Day: Simply wander the vibrant streets, listen to buskers, and savor coffee by the lake.
Don't forget to try the legendary Fergburger - a deliciously juicy bite you won't forget.
Golden Autumn Special Gift: May - Sep, Arrowtown (Gold Mining Town) + Glenorchy (Hidden Paradise) 1-day tour. If guests have already arranged paid activities in Queenstown, it will be regarded as voluntary waiver of this day's itinerary.
Queenstown, New Zealand
Located in the South Island of New Zealand along Lake Wakatipu, Queenstown is an urban, resort town popularized for its adventure tourism, which includes snowboarding, skiing, mountain biking, and paragliding. The Lord of the Rings film trilogy also features locations from Queenstown and surrounding locations.
After breakfast, travel to Dunedin for a city tour. Key stops include St. Paul's Cathedral, the historic University of Otago, the iconic Dunedin Railway Station, and the world's steepest Baldwin Street. Enjoy a special two-course lunch at the historic Speight's Brewery.The afternoon features a visit to Larnach Castle, New Zealand's only castle, to explore its grand interiors and gardens.
Dunedin, New Zealand
Dunedin is a bustling urban, cultural center in the Otago region in the South Island of New Zealand. It offers a wide variety of attractions for visitors including the theatre, music, museums, sporting events, universities, parks, gardens, architecture, and much more.
Saint Paul's Cathedral
Dunedin Railway Station
Embodies Dunedin's wealthy inheritance, This building perhaps is New Zealand’s most photographed building. The ornate Flemish Renaissance-style architecture features white Oamaru limestone facings on black basalt rock. The sheer size, grandiose style and rich embellishments of the station earned architect George Troup the nickname of Gingerbread George.
Baldwin Street
Located in Dunedin, New Zealand, Baldwin Street is recognized by the Guinness Book of World Records as the world's steepest residential Street. At its maximum incline, the slope of Baldwin Street is 19 degrees or a gradient of 35%.
University of Otago
Founded in 1869, the University of Otago is New Zealand's oldest university. Its Dunedin campus is renowned for its Scottish-style stone buildings and stunning gardens, often ranked among the world's most beautiful campuses, blending academic prestige with photographic charm.
Speight's Brewery
Speight's Brewery is one of New Zealand's oldest breweries, established in Dunedin since 1876. A cultural icon of the South Island, it offers classic brewery tours and authentic Western meals in its beloved pub with a retro-industrial ambiance.
Larnach Castle
The castle is set high above the harbour where William Larnach commissioned the construction of New Zealand’s only castle in 1871. It is also well known for its 14 hectare garden and grounds which has been recognised as a Garden of International Significance.
After breakfast, travel to Mount Cook National Park. En route, stop at a salmon farm for optional tasting. Explore the park's stunning landscapes, with an optional helicopter flight to the Tasman Glacier (weather permitting). In the afternoon, visit Lake Tekapo. See the Church of the Good Shepherd and enjoy the world-famous starry skies in the Dark Sky Reserve. Overnight at a unique lodge.
Mount Cook National Park, New Zealand
Mount Cook, locally known as Aoraki, is the highest mountain in New Zealand measuring 12,218 feet tall. An UNESCO World Heritage Site, Mount Cook is a beautiful, diverse location like no other. Enjoy exploring peaks, valleys, lakes, forests, and more.
Mount Cook Helicopter Tour
Admire the beauty and scale of New Zealand's largest mountain, Mount Cook, from the sky with a helicopter tour. Locally known as Aoraki, guests learn about the mountain's cultural and historical importance from knowledgeable pilots while admiring the grandeur of the Southern Alps.
Lake Tekapo Township, New Zealand
Located near the Mackenzie Basin, the Lake Tekapo Township is a small community surrounded mountain ranges, lakes and natural beauty. It is also home to Mount John University Observatory, the Church of the Good Shepherd, Waitaki Dam, and more.
Lake Tekapo
Lake Tekapo is the second-largest of three roughly parallel lakes running north-south along the northern edge of the Mackenzie Basin in the South Island of New Zealand (the others are Lake Pukaki and Lake Ohau).
Church of the Good Shepherd
The Church of the Good Shepherd is situated on the shores of Lake Tekapo amongst the natural beauty of the lake and the mountains.
It was built to the glory of God as a memorial to the pioneers of the Mackenzie Country.
After breakfast, capture the picture-perfect scenery of Lake Tekapo and its dreamy turquoise waters. Afterwards, return to Christchurch.
Lake Tekapo Township, New Zealand
Located near the Mackenzie Basin, the Lake Tekapo Township is a small community surrounded mountain ranges, lakes and natural beauty. It is also home to Mount John University Observatory, the Church of the Good Shepherd, Waitaki Dam, and more.
Christchurch, New Zealand
The largest city on the South Island of New Zealand, Christchurch is an urban center in the Canterbury region. Nicknamed the Garden City, Christchurch is known for its Anglican cathedral, arts, museums, and as being a gateway for Antarctic expeditions.
Departure & Return
- Complimentary Christchurch Airport Pickup: Available on your first day from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Flights arriving after 2:00PM cannot guarantee the city tour.
- Complimentary Christchurch Airport Drop-off: For flights departing after 3:00 PM.
Includes & Excludes
Price Includes
Price Excludes
Additional Notes
- Strict No-Smoking Policy: Smoking is strictly prohibited in all hotel rooms and on balconies. Violators will face a minimum fine of NZD $500 imposed by the hotel. Occupants of the room will be held jointly liable for any fine issued. Non-payment will authorize the hotel to submit the claim to the New Zealand Disputes Tribunal for recovery. All resulting fines, legal costs, and any adverse effects on visas or immigration status are the sole responsibility of the individual.
- Health Advisory: If you are prone to motion sickness, please prepare motion sickness medication and vomit bags in advance.
- Travel Insurance: We strongly recommend that all guests purchase comprehensive travel insurance to cover losses from unforeseen circumstances such as trip cancellation, additional transportation, or loss of valuables. Guests who voluntarily forgo insurance will be personally responsible for all risks and associated costs.
- Luggage Allowance: Due to the specific requirements of this group tour, each guest is limited to one piece of luggage not exceeding 26 inches in size.
Policies
The price is subject to change based on hotel availability. In cases of sold-out hotels, major events, public holidays, or changes in hotel star ratings. We reserve the right to issue a separate payment link for any additional charges incurred.
Triple rooms in New Zealand typically consist of one double/queen bed and one single bed (or rollaway bed). If three separate beds are required, please advise in advance.
All purchases are subject to re-confirmation within 2-3 business days after booking. Please do not book the airline tickets until you received the confirmation.
PLEASE READ CAREFULLY
The purchase of any travel services represents your acceptance Terms & Conditions set out herein. Please ensure that you read carefully and understand these Terms & Conditions prior to booking.
The purchase of any travel services represents your acceptance Terms & Conditions set out herein. Please ensure that you read carefully and understand these Terms & Conditions prior to booking.
Booking changes
A fee may be charged for any revision or alteration made to a reservation after the booking is confirmed. Name changes or corrections may be treated as a cancellation and cancellation fees will apply. A change of tour date or tour itinerary may be treated as a cancellation, and normal cancellation fees will apply.
A fee may be charged for any revision or alteration made to a reservation after the booking is confirmed. Name changes or corrections may be treated as a cancellation and cancellation fees will apply. A change of tour date or tour itinerary may be treated as a cancellation, and normal cancellation fees will apply.
Cancellations and Cancellation Fees
Regardless of reason, cancellations result in costly charges from our travel and hotel providers covering penalties and fees incurred by canceling confirmed and pending bookings. Therefore, cancellation penalties and or fees will apply. Time of cancellation will be determined when notice is received and confirmed by our office. Notice of cancellation must be made directly to TakeTours by email or through web mail at Contact Us .
Regardless of reason, cancellations result in costly charges from our travel and hotel providers covering penalties and fees incurred by canceling confirmed and pending bookings. Therefore, cancellation penalties and or fees will apply. Time of cancellation will be determined when notice is received and confirmed by our office. Notice of cancellation must be made directly to TakeTours by email or through web mail at Contact Us .
Cancellation penalties per person (request day and departure day are not counted)
15-30 days prior to departure - 30% of total purchase amount.
8-14 days prior to departure - 50% of total purchase amount.
1-7 days prior to departure - 100% of total purchase amount.
Day of departure or no show - 100% per person.
Unused features are non-refundable. No shows forfeit entire payment.
The refund amount will be credited directly to your TakeTours wallet as credits for future use. Or the refund can also be forwarded directly to your credit card with a 6% handling fee.
NOTE: We cannot grant any refunds 30 days after completion of the tour.
15-30 days prior to departure - 30% of total purchase amount.
8-14 days prior to departure - 50% of total purchase amount.
1-7 days prior to departure - 100% of total purchase amount.
Day of departure or no show - 100% per person.
Unused features are non-refundable. No shows forfeit entire payment.
The refund amount will be credited directly to your TakeTours wallet as credits for future use. Or the refund can also be forwarded directly to your credit card with a 6% handling fee.
NOTE: We cannot grant any refunds 30 days after completion of the tour.
Itinerary Variations
We constantly strives to improve tour itineraries and features. If such improvements can be made, or unforeseen circumstances beyond our control make changes necessary - we reserve the right to vary itineraries and to substitute hotels. At certain peak periods duplicate departures may operate, and sometimes in reverse order in which case hotels may vary from those stated on the itinerary pages.
In case of attraction closures (due to holidays or construction, etc.), tour guide may make some necessary changes to the itinerary accordingly.
Itineraries are subject to change due to the weather, transportation and other conditions, in order to provide the best experience for you.
We constantly strives to improve tour itineraries and features. If such improvements can be made, or unforeseen circumstances beyond our control make changes necessary - we reserve the right to vary itineraries and to substitute hotels. At certain peak periods duplicate departures may operate, and sometimes in reverse order in which case hotels may vary from those stated on the itinerary pages.
In case of attraction closures (due to holidays or construction, etc.), tour guide may make some necessary changes to the itinerary accordingly.
Itineraries are subject to change due to the weather, transportation and other conditions, in order to provide the best experience for you.
Tour Cancellation:
We reserves the right to cancel or re-schedule any tour departure in accordance with operating requirements or circumstances beyond its control. If cancellation is made any time prior to departure* of the tour, TakeTours' only liability will be to refund to the passenger the amount it has received for the tour booking. We will try to re-book the same or similar tour.. Please note that we are not liable for any cancellation penalties incurred on any other travel arrangements including air tickets purchased separately from customers. We are not responsible for any other travel arrangements affected due to our cancellations.
We reserves the right to cancel or re-schedule any tour departure in accordance with operating requirements or circumstances beyond its control. If cancellation is made any time prior to departure* of the tour, TakeTours' only liability will be to refund to the passenger the amount it has received for the tour booking. We will try to re-book the same or similar tour.. Please note that we are not liable for any cancellation penalties incurred on any other travel arrangements including air tickets purchased separately from customers. We are not responsible for any other travel arrangements affected due to our cancellations.
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